Chuan Xin Lian
StarAndrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees
☯ TCM Properties
Clears Heat and Resolves Toxicity; Cools the Blood; Reduces Swelling; Dries Dampness
Traditional Chinese Uses
Chuan Xin Lian (andrographis herb) is one of the most bitter and cold herbs in Chinese medicine, used as a broad-spectrum Heat-toxin-clearing agent. It is applied for acute bacterial and viral infections with fever and inflammation — including pneumonia, dysentery, urinary tract infections, and sore throat. Externally, it treats snake bites, carbuncles, and infected wounds. Its intense bitterness means it is typically taken in pill or capsule form rather than as a decoction.
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Andrographis paniculata is an erect annual herb in the Acanthaceae, growing 30-110 cm tall with a quadrangular, much-branched stem. The lance-shaped leaves are opposite, glabrous, 2-12 cm long, with entire margins and an acuminate tip. Small white flowers with purple markings on the lower lip are borne in lax, spreading terminal and axillary panicles. Fruits are linear-oblong capsules about 1.5-2 cm long that split explosively to disperse small, rugose, yellow-brown seeds. The whole aerial plant tastes intensely bitter due to diterpenoid lactones, principally andrographolide. Native to the Indian subcontinent and widely cultivated across South and Southeast Asia and southern China for medicinal use, it is harvested when in flower.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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